Locksmith {T.B.}

Chapter Two

The video started to play, showing Tom sitting across from Julia on a red velvet sofa. His hands were clasped as he smiled at her, waiting for her to begin the interview. His natural dark brown wavy hair has grown back from the buzzcut he had for the movie. He's an attractive man, there's no denying that.

Julia began speaking, "I'm here with Tom Blyth who is playing young Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes coming out this November 17th. How do we feel about that, Tom?"

"I'm excited," he replied. "It's my first big picture and I can't wait to see how our fans will like it. I enjoyed my time with the cast and the time filming was just amazing."

"Have you seen the film yet?"

"I've seen just about as much as everyone else has."

"So... we're just gonna get into the good stuff because I know your fans are dying to know a few things about you," she smirked and pulled out her tablet which contains a list of popular questions the internet was wanting her to ask.

"I knew what I was signing up for when I agreed to this interview, Julia," he flashed her his charming smile and watched as she giggled to him saying her name in his English accent.

Kylie scoffed, "She gets into the good stuff awfully fast."

"That's why she's a popular interviewer, she gives us what we want instead of trailing it on," Tilly explained.

"Shh," I waved my hand to signal them to be quiet because Julia was about to ask a question.

"Last year, America had a favorite album that was written, produced, and sung by a new artist who is rising fairly quickly for her extreme talent. Fans would like to know if you've heard this album and what your opinion is on the song she has coming out that is featured in the movie?"

"That's you!" Tilly nudged me.

"I see that," I smiled.

Tom pursed his lips, "I did hear the album around the time it first came out and all the songs are simply amazing. As for the song featured in the film, I haven't heard it yet."

"Really? I would like to clarify that we're talking about Lindyne Paisley?"

"Yes."

"She said your name!" Tilly clapped her hands together and held a bright smile on her face but I kept my attention on the video. I didn't know Tom listened to my album, a part of me always forgets that famous people hear music too. I also forget that my song will be featured in a movie he's cast in as the main character. Of course, he knows who I am, it's just weird to hear me be known by someone who is rapidly growing just by the trailer of his movie being released.

"Have you met her?" Julia crossed her legs and leaned in closer. The questions the fans want to know involve me. But why?

"No, I haven't. Maybe one day," he chuckled.

"I hear she'll be present at the premiere, you think you'll meet her then?"

"I suppose so."

"Well, fans are taking a liking to the potential pair of you and Lindyne." He cocked his head to the side in confusion while Julia continued, "Someone made an edit that made it look like you have a romantic relationship with Lindyne, an AU, I believe they call it. They captioned it and I'll quote from here," she nodded down at her tablet, "'Is it just me or would these two actually be a good couple?' Now numerous people are posting with the hashtag, #Tindyne."

"I haven't seen anything about this," he stated.

"That's surprising to me really. Maybe she has."

"I haven't," I said aloud as if they could hear me.

"Oh, well, Lindyne is a very gorgeous woman, she's talented, all-around amazing, I'm sure. But, I'm pretty positive she's engaged."

"That's true," Julia motioned her hand toward the screen behind her where they presented a picture of my hand with my engagement ring that I had posted as my announcement. Tom looked at it and didn't say any words, instead, after a few seconds he looked passed Julia to whoever was off-screen and nodded his head.

"I can't say if she weren't taken, that I wouldn't be interested," he smiled.

"What?" I shut my phone off, not wanting to finish the video.

Tilly cleared her throat, "I think he said--"

"I know what he said," I interrupted. "But why would he say that? He doesn't know me. We've never interacted before, the only connection we have is my voice singing in a movie he stars in!" Anger started to build up inside me.

"It's a tactic," Kylie brought up. "Of course, it's a tactic."

"What do you mean?"

"To promote his movie and to promote your music. If people think you have something going on with him, they'll wanna follow your life. They'll watch the movie he plays in because his face is in it and your voice is in it. It's the only thing that involves you both. The fact that he's in Tilly's terms 'yummy', means he's already gaining fans. This could be great for your career."

"I'm engaged, Kylie," I reminded her. "I can't have a fake relationship with Tom to taunt the public just to grow my career when I'm getting married to the man I have a real relationship with."

"If you noticed in the video, Lin, Tom looks behind Julia at someone. He wasn't trying to start something, I think his manager pushed him to once they put up your engagement announcement picture."

"Okay, well, it's not gonna happen," I told her. "I'm not comfortable with doing that just to get a few listens on my music."

"I'm gonna set up a meeting with Tom and his manager," she grabbed her phone out of her back pocket.

"No, I told you, I don't wanna do this."

"Let's see what kind of deals we can make first. Maybe we can turn it into America's favorite friendship rather than relationship or we can get Michael on board?"

"No."

"Please? Can we just see and then you make your decision?"

"I think it'll be good for you," Tilly mentioned. "Just to see the extra stuff you can get out of it. If Michael agrees, it shouldn't be too uncomfortable."

I sighed, "Okay, fine. Get his manager's contact information and set up a meeting. Don't expect me to agree to anything though. And make sure it's in a private place. If anyone sees me and him in the same place, I can't imagine how that would go."

"You got it."

"And I'm bringing Michael. I'm not hiding anything from him."

"That'll sure destroy the rumors if you're seen together around Tom," Tilly joked.

"That's the plan."